Paralegal - Public Law/ Human Rights (6455)

IRWIN MITCHELL; Leeds; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Annual bonus

Health & wellbeing support

Pension

Volunteer days

Staff discounts

Job summary

Irwin Mitchell is recruiting a paralegal for the Public Law and Human Rights team in Leeds. The role involves supporting the solicitor with case conduct, client communications, and comprehensive casework in a fast-paced environment.

You should have a Law degree or equivalent, with paralegal or public law exposure preferred. The role requires travel to visit clients and a willingness to work in our Leeds office.

Qualifications

• Paralegal experience in public law is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent client care skills and a sensitive, sympathetic understanding of clients’ needs.
• Strong analytical and organisational abilities to document work thoroughly.
• IT literate with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Working knowledge of, or basic understanding of, legal aid systems.
• Willingness to work in Leeds and travel to visit clients as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the solicitor or legal executive with conduct of the case.
• Support casework in a fast-paced Public Law & Human Rights team.
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver the best outcomes for clients.
• Attend hearings or client visits as required and contribute to case preparation.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Client care

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

IT literate

Legal aid knowledge

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Who We Are

As one of the UK’s leading law firms, we’re here for the people and businesses who rely on us at life’s important moments - made possible by our colleagues who bring the expertise, judgement and care that makes the difference.

Our colleagues bring Irwin Mitchell to life every day, so it matters that you feel valued from the very first day and are trusted with the responsibility, in the right culture, to do the best work of your careers. Everyone’s path here is different, but we share a desire to help our business make a real impact.

Where possible we will support our colleagues to work in a way that works for them, for us and most importantly our clients. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing

Our Public Law & Human rights team undertake a range of work in the areas of judicial review, civil liberties (including inquests and actions against the police), education, social care, healthcare and medical treatment, mental capacity and Court of Protection welfare disputes. Our lawyers are experts in their field.

The Leeds team focuses predominantly on health and welfare cases before the Court of Protection involving issues of mental capacity law. The team also has experience in claims for judicial review, general health and social care advice and access to healthcare and medical treatment. Other fee earners in the team also work on civil liberties and education matters.

Our Public Law and Human Rights department is ranked as a leader in a range of fields and in both the Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 directories many of our solicitors are ranked individually. We are instructed in interesting and often high profile, cutting‑edge cases. We have forged a national reputation for our work on complex and test cases. We have a national practice, with public law teams in twelve offices across the country.

We hold Legal Aid Agency contracts in public law, community care and actions against public bodies and are also instructed by privately funded individuals, professional associations and institutions including national and local charities and other voluntary organisations. We work closely with our colleagues and teams in Irwin Mitchell to provide a holistic service to our clients.

This is a hybrid role, with two days per week in our Leeds office and regular client visits. The successful candidate will need to be able to regularly travel to client locations as required.

About You

Our Public Law and Human Rights team in Leeds is recruiting for a paralegal. This position would suit a well‑motivated individual who has a genuine interest in working within Public Law & Human Rights.

The successful candidate must:

• Hold a Law degree or equivalent (desirable but not essential);
• Preferably, but not essentially, have some paralegal, caseworking or public law work experience, particularly within the above areas (other areas of law would be advantageous but not essential);
• Have excellent client care skills and a sensitive, sympathetic understanding of clients’ needs;
• Have excellent analytical and organisational skills to take a thorough approach to documenting work;
• Be IT literate and have great attention to detail;
• Be able to operate independently and as part of a team to deliver the best outcomes for our clients;
• Have a working knowledge, or at least a basic understanding, of legal aid systems.
• Be willing to work in our Leeds office and to travel to visit clients when required.
• Be prepared to undertake a casework focussed role in a fast-paced team, assisting the solicitor or legal executive with conduct of the case

If you thrive on being busy and can adapt well to new challenges, then we will give you all the training and support you will need to help you succeed in this highly rewarding role.

Our Approach to Reward and Wellbeing

• 25 days' holiday as standard, rising to 28 days depending on role level, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.
• Opportunities to share in our success through annual pay and bonus review processes for eligible colleagues.
• Health and wellbeing support, including Westfield Health and Digital GP access.
• Competitive pension arrangements to help you plan for the future.
• Two paid volunteering days every year to support causes that matter to you.
• Access to a range of colleague discounts and lifestyle benefits to support you both inside and outside of work.

We also offer a wide range of well‑being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported.

In 2026, Irwin Mitchell was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work guide and was the only law firm included in the ‘Very Big’ organisation category

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of modern working life. If you choose to use AI tools as part of your application or interview preparation, please review our AI in Recruitment Candidate Guidance https://careers.irwinmitchell.com/file/downloadfile/AIcandidate/PDF

As part of joining the Irwin Mitchell Group, all successful applicants are required to complete our employment screening process. We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, and understand any criminal records or adverse financial history.

Our onboarding processes are designed to help us maintain the high standards of trust, integrity and professionalism expected by our colleagues, to protect the interests of the Group, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

Checks are conducted by trusted 3rd parties and the employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.